Cx GIC London, what to expect if you have gone private?

[Hippychick2]

Hi all. Apologies if you have seen this type of message a million times. I did look via search but my Google fu is  weak and i couldn't find anything relevant.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some sort of heads up of what to expect for my first visit of the Charing cross GIC, particularly for someone who has seen the dr's privately for a couple of years?

A bit about me..... I'm in Wales and so I've gone private as the waiting lists are insane, I've had 4 appointments with Dr Lorimer and Dr seal, have been on hormones for over a year and a half with support from my gp, have had voice training and laser. Have been in rle for over a year and a half.

I've finally got my first GIC appointment coming up and I'm wondering if I'm basically going to have to start from scratch again and do the whole life story explanation thing, particularly if i get seen by someone other than Dr lorimer? If so isn't it a bit of a waste of time to tell someone else who is fulltime, employed, name changed, and on hormones to come back for a second appointment in 6 months etc...

Any advice or opinion would be brilliant. I've got to go because they will cancel me if I'm a no show but I'm worried that if it's just a tick box formality then I'm taking up a time slot from someone who may be more desperate than i am.

[Megan.]

Hi! I think the GIC two part assessment is standard,  but they can flex on situation.  I would suggest taking letters from Lorimer,  Seal, your GP etc..  along with you,  this may help them fast track you if such a thing exists.  Good luck. X

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[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. If you go to the HRT section then put "Charing cross" in the upper right hand site search box, you will receive a list of posts. I am not sure if you will find what you need there but it's a start. As for google, most of the time it's a pretty good search tool but every once in a while the site search can eliminate the excess clutter.

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[JeanetteLW]

Hi Hippychick,

  I'm Jeanette, 64, MtF, on hrt for a short time. I want to welcome you unofficially to Susan's Place as you look new to the site. Come on in,  take a seat, here this one is a comfy one and I'm sure Dena won't mind. She's off moderating somewhere at the moment. Beverage? I can offer water, tea, coffee and soda. Sorry no, no alcohol you will have to get that yourself, I can't touch the stuff. It's like poison to me. I'll only get into trouble with it. Been there, done that, ain't doing it again. Relax, read some posts and get to know us. Comment if you like.
  Of, your question? I'm sorry I can't help you there, I'm only a greeter. I'm sure someone will come along soon to help you though, We have a great group of knowledgeable folks here that should be able to help you. well you go ahead and sip your drink and read some posts while you wait. I'll leave you alone now.
Holler if you need something.

  hugs,
    Jeanette

[Hippychick2]

Wow, thanks everyone for the responses, you are all awesome!!

[Elis]

Hey; nice to meet someone in the same boat . I'll  have my first appointment at Charing Cross probably in May; before being seen at Transhealth with Dr Curtis. I assume the system will be speeded up for us as we've already done physical transitioning as well as RLE. Although I'm sure the process will still be painfully slow compared to private and we'll still have to explain our life history briefly as well as what we want; as it's simply a routine question . But I hear they're a bit more organised these days so should point you to the right resources that you may need. And you can always call them up to reschedule your appointment if you're still unsure.

I'll be making sure Dr Curtis sends my file to them; as well as bringing my deed poll and maybe passport to prove RLE.

Btw; did you go to their gender workshop in November?

[Hippychick2]

Hi Elis, i didn't make it in November, did you go?

I'll report back here at the end of the month to tell you what happened.

I'm planning on taking every scrap of evidence with me, including letters from my boss etc, I'm not hopeful that it will speed anything up though because most of the stuff i have read online says that they sometimes view people who have gone private as queue skippers. That might just be the internet though 😕

[alex82]

Wow, thanks everyone for the responses, you are all awesome!!

The person who said about the 'queue skipper' thing - that's correct. Just be absolutely humble, rather than 'hey, I can afford it, and now your petty rules and regulations have made an obstacle for me'.

I used a private doctor who dovetails with the NHS, and even she said that. Just be humble. Not officious, or angry. If you do push and emphasize how many queues you already jumped there is nothing to stop them becoming awkward and saying 'well, fine, our waiting list is this long and if you don't like that, go privately for the full thing then'. Fortunately, even then, transgender is a fully protected characteristic by law, and they do still have a duty to treat you fully. But the waiting time might not be to your liking. It wasn't to mine.

Ultimately, we are very privileged to have a fantastic system like the NHS (and nowhere is that clearer than when you see people in certain countries talking about things like deductibles, state v state differences, and FT employee v PT employee health coverage - really frightening stuff) but they do need to be treated with the same courtesy we demand they treat us with.

[Elis]

Hi Elis, i didn't make it in November, did you go?

I'll report back here at the end of the month to tell you what happened.

I'm planning on taking every scrap of evidence with me, including letters from my boss etc, I'm not hopeful that it will speed anything up though because most of the stuff i have read online says that they sometimes view people who have gone private as queue skippers. That might just be the internet though 😕

Unfortunately I didn't go; too much anxiety and didn't think it would be that informative. You may want to look at my previous post which mentions it https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,216913.msg1923234.html#msg1923234

Yeah I think it's just misinformation about queue skippers. I'm trying to keep positive and hoping that Charring Cross is different to how it's been previously in that they treat everyone with respect and the same.

Can't wait to hear how your appointment goes

[Hippychick2]

Hi all. Here is a update.

I went to the GIC and the doctor there looked through the last two letters my private doctors had sent, checked my bloods (i took a blood test with me) photocopied my deed poll and gave me the basic "where did all of this begin" hour long chat.

He has said that i need 2 references to go on the Grs waiting list and he is happy to be one of them, i have a private appointment in 2 weeks time, he told me to ask there for my second reference and then write back to him. I also need a letter from work confirming that i have transitioned in work for over a year (they need something on paper for evidence).

What may be of interest to most is that he said that the Grs waiting list is much less than a year now. That has to be good news.

[Devlyn]

Awesome news, hon! Thanks for sharing the happy with everyone!   

Hugs, Devlyn